Andrews University

Citing the need for its own institution of higher learning, the Seventh-Day Adventists created a small college in 1874. For nearly two decades, this school operated as Battle Creek College before changing its name to Emmanuel Missionary College. Though it did offer religious studies courses, the college kept bringing in new programs and watched as its enrollment slowly increased to include students from other religious denominations. Now called Andrews University, the campus is just a short drive across the border between Michigan and Indiana. Many of its students travel to nearby South Bend, Indiana or Lake Michigan on weekends. Some of the professors working on campus also work at Notre Dame.

Andrews University is part of the Adventists Colleges Abroad, which is a program dedicated to helping students find opportunities to study abroad in foreign locations. Students can choose to take classes in countries like France, Italy or London. These programs allow students to gain a better familiarity with the local language and culture. Some programs are also available in Peru, Kenya and South Korea. Andrews, as students often call it, is the largest institution of higher learning maintained by the Seventh-Day Adventists, the second largest religious college in the country and the largest religiously affiliated college in the state. Its total student population includes more than 1,700 undergrads and more than 800 seminary students.

Andrews University Accreditation Details

Though Andrews University has some specialty accreditation from Christian organizations, it also has regional accreditation from the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCACS). NCACS does an extensive review of a college before giving it accreditation and looks at a number of different factors, including graduation rates, job placement rates, professor backgrounds and courses offered. The organization also requires that the university go through a renewal process and new review every decade to maintain its accreditation.

Depending on what you want to study, you may find that the university has accreditation for that specific program. Its dietetics program and dietetics internship both have accreditation from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Andrews also has accreditation for its social work program from the Council on Social Work Education Office of Social Work Accreditation. Other programs that have accreditation include those in teacher education, business, music, counseling, physical therapy, engineering and nursing.

Andrews University Application Requirements

The application deadline put in place by Andrews University for students starting in the fall is at the end of July. Those who want to start in the spring will need to apply by the middle of November, and those hoping to start in the summer must submit their applications by the beginning of June. Andrews uses an admissions policy that is similar to a rolling admissions policy. If the university still has space available in the coming semester, it will continue accepting applications. Though you will pay a fee of $60, the university increases this fee to $70 for those who submit an application beyond the deadline.

When you use the online system to fill out your application, you have up to 90 days to finish and submit it. Once those 90 days pass, the university will wipe your application. The application consists of thee key pieces of information beyond where you went to school and what you studied. The first is a 500 word statement of purpose or essay. This should include a brief overview of what you hope to accomplish in college, what made you choose Andrews and your professional goals. You'll also need to complete a professional history section that uses details from your resume and your score on an entrance exam like the GRE. Andrews requires two letters of recommendation, official exam scores and official transcripts from all applicants too.

Tuition and Fees

The basic tuition that grad students attending Andrews University pay is $1,021 per credit. Students must also pay a general fee of $331 each semester. The university charges additional fees for those doing thesis or dissertation work, taking classes through the seminary school or education department and for completing a capstone project. You will also need to pay for any supplies you need in your classes, including pens, paper and textbooks. Before deciding to attend the university, fill out the FAFSA and apply for alternative funding through Andrews.

One type of funding that is open to most grad students is the Andrews Graduate Scholarship. The university bases the amount you receive on the score you received on your entrance exam. You may get a scholarship that pays for 10% or up to 50% of your tuition. Departments and individual programs on campus offer scholarships and funding programs too. Religious studies students can get funding that covers 25% of their costs, while communications students can get funding for up to 45% of their tuition. Andrews also has some assistantship programs that reward students with health insurance and tuition assistance for working as a research or teaching assistant. You can use a combination of methods to pay for your tuition and fees, including government grants, work study programs and loans.

Andrews University Grad Programs

In addition to certificate and doctoral programs, Andrews offers more than 20 degree programs for graduate students. One of those its its Church Administration – MSA degree program. The university designed this as a 33 credit hour program that students can finish in just four semesters. Though it includes elements of religious study and theology, it also incorporates business courses that prepare students for taking on management and leadership positions within their respective churches. Students learn how to handle the daily operations of a church, the importance of creating and following a budget and the best methods of advertising and hiring new employees.

Andrews also offers a graduate degree for teaching students like the Secondary Education – MAT degree program. The university accepts students into this program who want to obtain a teaching license and have a degree in another field, those who teach at the elementary level and those who want to change the area they teach. Those with a teaching license will only need to take 32 credits of classes over two years, but students without a license will need to take additional courses. Andrews University gives educational students funding that can pay for up to half of their tuition costs.